Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Review: A Masterpiece of Foldable Innovation

In an era where foldable smartphones have taken center stage, Samsung’s relentless pursuit of perfection in build quality and features is clearly paying off. Undoubtedly, they currently reign supreme as the frontrunners in the world of foldable devices.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, their latest offering, serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to innovation and development, firmly establishing itself as the pinnacle of flip Android devices to date.

I’ve had the pleasure of immersing myself in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 experience for the past four weeks, and let me get straight to the point – it has surpassed my expectations. In fact, it has become my go-to daily driver, and I’m here to share with you precisely why I consider it the best.

First Impressions: Design and Build

The most noticeable upgrade in the Galaxy Z Flip5 is its cover display. It boasts a larger AMOLED screen at 3.4 inches, a significant improvement over its predecessor, the Flip4. This cover display plays a pivotal role in the device’s functionality, allowing me to perform numerous tasks without unfolding the phone. Be it responding to WhatsApp messages or checking notifications, everything can now be done on the bright and crisp cover display.

Yes, you read that correctly – no more need to flip the phone open every time you receive a message. The convenience of handling messages and notifications directly from the cover display is a game-changer. It even serves as an excellent platform for watching YouTube videos or browsing Instagram.

The camera module, cleverly situated below the display, features two 12MP sensors, accompanied by an LED flash module. Despite the modest 12MP sensors, the camera performance is nothing short of brilliant. We’ll delve into camera features in more detail shortly.

Opening the Galaxy Z Flip5 is a tactile and satisfying experience. It can be propped open at various angles, making it a versatile choice for capturing photos or videos when resting the phone on a flat surface. The act of closing the phone during a call evokes a delightful sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of flip phones from the late 2000s.

When fully unfolded, the Galaxy Z Flip5 assumes an elongated, slim profile. While it may not cater to everyone’s preferences, I find it comfortable and practical. This design choice makes one-handed operation effortless, including typing on the on-screen keyboard. Reading lengthy articles is also a visually pleasing experience.

The main display is a 6.7-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED panel, complete with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1750 nits for optimal outdoor visibility. With a screen resolution of 2640×1080 and a pixel density of 425 ppi, the display offers crisp and vivid visuals.

Given its foldable nature, a faint crease at the folding point is visible but far less pronounced than its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip4. Importantly, when fully folded, the device eliminates nearly all gaps, contributing to its slim profile. This is a significant advantage for those who prefer pocket-friendly smartphones.

The device’s layout includes a volume rocker and power button (which doubles as a fingerprint sensor) on the right side. On top, you’ll find a discreet microphone, while the opposite end houses the SIM tray, USB-C charging port with data connectivity, and a bottom-firing speaker. Notably, the Galaxy Z Flip5 boasts stereo speakers, enhancing audio quality.

Performance and Daily Use

Performance is one area where the Galaxy Z Flip5 truly shines, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset. This chipset, seemingly tailor-made for Galaxy devices, ensures snappy performance and excellent battery life. Despite its 3700mAh battery capacity, the device comfortably lasts a full day, and a swift recharge takes less than an hour – rarely requiring overnight charging.

Equipped with 256GB of storage (or 512GB storage) and 8GB of RAM, expandable by an additional 8GB of virtual memory through the RAM extension feature, the Galaxy Z Flip5 delivers a responsive and smooth user experience. Running on One UI 5.1 based on Android 13, the device operates seamlessly, though I eagerly anticipate the enhancements of Android 14 with One UI 6.

For everyday tasks, the Galaxy Z Flip5 effortlessly handles multitasking, accommodating multiple open apps without sacrificing speed. I typically have chat apps running alongside various social media accounts, with no issues navigating between them.

To maximize the potential of the cover display, I have the Good Lock app installed, readily available on the Galaxy Store. Good Lock offers an extensive range of customization options for the cover display, allowing me to extend its functionality beyond the native features of One UI.

Thanks to the Good Lock’s Multistar add-on, I gained the ability to seamlessly run a variety of apps, including but not limited to WhatsApp and Instagram – apps that I’ve personally installed on the device. This level of customization significantly enhances the versatility and capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, enriching the overall user experience.

The device’s power potential is vast, as demonstrated in an Antutu 3D Benchmark test, where it scored 929,821 points, firmly placing it in the top tier of performance. However, fully exploiting this power remains a challenge in daily tasks. Thus, I decided to put it to the test by playing games.

I promptly installed PUBG Mobile, a personal benchmark for gaming experiences. While gaming on the Galaxy Z Flip5 felt slightly different due to screen size and resolution, it remained playable. Paired with my Galaxy Buds2 Pro, I appreciated the low latency connectivity, which elevated the immersive gaming experience. The high-quality audio from the Galaxy Buds2 Pro further enhanced the overall gaming feel.

Launching games is a breeze, with the graphics running smoothly at the highest settings. The device’s responsiveness and smooth movements made for an enjoyable gaming experience. Although I’ve yet to test graphic-intensive titles like Genshin Impact, this device has proven its gaming prowess.

Movies and videos look fantastic on the Galaxy Z Flip5’s AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The stereo speakers contribute to an immersive binge-watching experience. Audio quality, both in terms of volume and bass, is satisfactory – loud enough for noisy environments.

Camera and Photography

Despite its compact form, the Galaxy Z Flip5 packs a capable camera system. The primary camera boasts a 12MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, while the secondary camera is a 12MP ultrawide-angle shooter with an f/2.2 aperture. Both cameras support 4K video recording at 60fps. A discreet punch-hole camera on the inside features a 10MP sensor, enabling 4K video recording at 30fps.

The primary camera on the Galaxy Z Flip5 truly stands out for its capability to consistently capture high-quality shots with minimal need for post-processing. In particular, when engaging the portrait mode, it produces outstanding results, allowing for fine-tuned adjustments to background blur in post-production. This level of flexibility proves invaluable, especially when curating photos for sharing on social media platforms.

When venturing into night photography, the Galaxy Z Flip5 holds its own, even in challenging, low-light scenarios. While there may be some noticeable noise in extremely dim conditions, the camera’s night mode significantly enhances image quality, making the resulting photos more than usable. With its dependable performance in various shooting conditions, the Galaxy Z Flip5 has undoubtedly earned its place as a trusted and versatile photography companion.

Here are some sample photos taken with the Galaxy Z Flip5:

In Conclusion

Without a doubt, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 has secured its place as my preferred Android device, sharing the limelight with the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Its compact folded form and sleek unfolded profile, coupled with Samsung’s years of experience, culminate in a device that appeals to a broad audience.

For those contemplating an upgrade with the budget to match, the Galaxy Z Flip5 warrants a top spot on your wishlist. While the larger Galaxy Z Fold5 presents an alternative, the Flip’s compactness and versatile cover display make it a compelling choice. If you’re ready to make a purchase decision, head over to Samsung Malaysia’s official website for more details on the Galaxy Z Flip5.

The retail price for the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 starts from RM4,499.00.